GECKO to hold beginning, intermediate running clinics

Photo courtesy Trent BonaRunners participate in the Turkey Track Trail Run in 2014. If you’ve always wanted to run, or to push yourself to run further, GECKO is holding two summer running clinics.

By Kirsten Le RouxSpecial to The PREVIEW

If you’ve always wanted to run, or you want to push yourself to run further, GECKO (Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors) has a summer clinic just for you.

After a successful inaugural course in 2014, GECKO has brought back the summer Beginner Running Clinic and is also adding a half marathon clinic, subject to interest.

The Beginner Running Clinic, modeled on the Couch-to-5k program, is suitable for anyone that has a desire to learn to run. You don’t need any experience and you don’t have to be doing any running currently. That’s why it’s from “the couch.”

The course is a supported 10-week clinic (or 12 weeks in the case of the half marathon clinic) that walks you through the weekly training program, culminating in a 3-mile trail run at GECKO’s Devil Mountain Ultra on Aug. 22. The course aims to bust typical running myths and give instruction on correct running form and technique that allow you to run safely and injury-free.

It also helps you stay on track, with inspiration to be the runner you always wanted to be. You’ll be given some homework to do each week and nutrition challenges in between sessions to keep you focused and on track.

If this is the summer you hoped to get in shape, feel great and do something different, then this is for you.

The intermediate running clinic (the half marathon clinic) will run concurrently and will be the same format, but with different running sessions and goals each week. It will culminate in a half marathon run and is suitable for runners that can run nonstop for 5 to 6 miles already (speed is of no concern, just that you can run nonstop).

Both clinics will be held every Wednesday at 6 p.m. sharp at the Ranch Community. The first session starts Wednesday, June 3, and runs every Wednesday until the week prior to Devil Mountain in August. The program cost includes a free entry into the 5k at the Devil Mountain/Demons of Dust 5k, and completing this distance will be your goal throughout the clinic.

Come and meet other like-minded people and enjoy the support and camaraderie of running together.

The cost of the beginner program is $120 and the intermediate program is $150, which is to be paid upfront to book a place on the course. Spots are limited.